Applying Facial Makeup:
Cleansing:
We recommend cleansing both morning and evening. It is best to use a non-detergent, moisturizing facial cleanser. This will restore the skin to its proper ph levels and exfoliate dead skin cells to prepare for the next step: moisturizing.
Moisturizing:
Moisturizing keeps skin soft and elastic. Use moisturizer twice a day after cleansing. For your skin's health, it is important to use a moisturizer that contains an SPF-15 at the least. This will protect your skin against the sun's damaging rays. Apply to the neck, face, and decolletage. Moisturizer also creates a smooth palate for makeup application.
Eye Creme:
Eye creme creates a smooth surface and coating around the delicate eye area, which will reduce drag when applying eye makeup. The creme also fills in the lines and wrinkles, making the skin appear much smoother. Once daily, use a creme that contains natural oils. This will allow maximum skin penetration. Eye cremes also help counteract the drying effect that waterproof mascaras can have on eyes.
Blush:
The addition of blush creates a healthy glow. To achieve the maximum effect, apply color to the bottom of your cheekbone and stroke back toward the ear. Lightly blend the color upward to create a natural look.
Loose Powders and Bronzers:
Create a finished, refined look with loose powders and bronzers. These products also blot out shine and absorb oil and perspiration giving skin a satiny, smooth finish without accentuating unwanted fine lines. Powders and bronzers can also be used for contouring the face and enhancing positive features while minimizing others.
Lip Colors and Glosses:
Our lips take a lot of stress and need a little extra care; lip colors and glosses are a perfect solution. They help moisturize and protect lips. Lip colors and glosses can dramatically alter appearance enhancing every mood, season, and fashion.
Liquid Lip Liners and Pencils:
These lovely liners define the shape of the lips and create a perfect pout. With the right colors they can make smaller lips appear larger and create a dramatic look. It's important to keep liners and pencils sanitary by sharpening them often and dipping them in alcohol prior to use.
Eye Shadow:
Eye shadows are dynamic and versatile. For a dramatic layered effect, apply a light shade from the lash line to the brow. Add a second, darker color from the lash line to the crease.
Liquid Eye Liner and Pencils:
Eyeliners and pencils accent the natural beauty of eyes. For a luscious effect, widen the line of the outer edge to lift the corner with either a pencil or a liquid liner. Top it off by applying a similar color of eye shadow. If eyes seem to be heavy, line with a blue eyeliner to open them up. Again, for the best sanitation, sharpen pencils often and dip them in alcohol before use.
Eyelash Curlers:
Eyelash curlers are one of the simplest ways of opening up the eyes to make the look stunning and large.
Mascara:
Though not healthy for everyday use, waterproof mascara prevents running. Waterproof mascara is especially helpful for contact wearers. Note that due to chemical drying properties it can be harsh if used over time causing lashes to dry and fall out. It is recommended to use waterproof mascara only for special occasions such as weddings, dates, or funerals. It can also be helpful during swimming activities.
Avoid getting air in the mascara and making it dry and clumpy by not pumping the tube. For most people, the optimal colors of mascara are black-brown or dark brown. Dark brunettes can also wear black and navy very well providing added definition. For blond lashes, use black-brown or layer using brown first and then finishing with a coat of navy. The average shelf life of mascara is usually two months after which it begins to clump and dry out. To keep eyes looking pristine, replace mascara regularly. This also keeps eyes healthy and keeps away bacteria and chemicals.
Eyebrows:
Well-trimmed eyebrows open up the face and bring the focus to the eyes themselves. Having eyebrows professionally arched is ideal. To care for eyebrows, comb them in an upward direction. Set the desired shape with clear mascara or gel. For a natural look, brush in a powder that matches the color of the eyebrows. An extremely dramatic look can be achieved using a mascara wand and combing the brows with it.
Cleaning:
To maintain a stunning look, it is important to keep makeup tools clean and sanitized. As professional makeup artists, we focus on preventing viral and bacterial contamination. Clean makeup tools regularly with a solution of, at least, ninety percent alcohol. Purchase a quality brush cleaner. Using soap and water dries out a brush's bristles, which, in turn, reduces their life.
Wedding Makeup, Skin & Hair Advice:
Tip - Be sure to have a trial run of your makeup and hairstyle selected for your wedding day at minimum two weeks before your wedding, even if you're not using a professional. You'll want to be absolutely sure of what you'll look like and how long it will take for makeup and hairstyling. This will ensure a calm peaceful atmosphere and no unwanted surprises. Always advise your professional makeup artist and hairstylist of any unadvisable changes or accidents to your hair or skin that have occurred prior to trial run in case you need an additional consultation for new analysis.
Eyes and Lips - Your wedding day is an important event in your life and will be the day you definitely want to define and highlight your eyes. Wearing false eyelashes will help to define the eyes at the lash line and you won't have to use heavy eyeliner. Use waterproof mascara and lip colors, your new partner will appreciate it and your lasting photos will be beautiful. Begin an evening ritual of moisturizing your eyes and lips months before the wedding and up to the day. You eye brows are very important have them arched and waxed a few days before your wedding.
Skin - Facials are highly recommended and should continue up until two weeks prior to wedding day. Tanning is not suggested for the face prior to wedding or photographs because it could cause skin breakouts, drying and alter your skin color that was selected during your color session with makeup artist. So if you want to tan your body that's okay but be sure to cover your face. Try getting a professional body massage the day before your wedding if time allows this will be very beneficial physically and mentally and will make your day even better.
Hair - Never try out a new hairstyle or color the last month prior to your wedding...if you hate it your stuck! If you want something new test out at least six months before your event, than you have a chance to re-grow hair or recondition damaged mistakes. It is suggested that a light trim only of layers and bangs one week prior to wedding keeping with the style selected.
Nails - Get a manicure and pedicure at least 2 days before your wedding. You'll be able to relax the day before and be confident your nails are in satisfactory condition the day of the event. If artificial nails are worn; you will have one emergency day left before the wedding for a quick visit to the salon.
Tips on Tipping: $$$
Tipping can be very confusing, especially for weddings and special events. Keep in mind that some people depend on gratuities as a part of their earnings. Deciding who to tip and how much may vary depending on the situation and the level of satisfaction with the service provided. The best way to determine how to tip is usually by the type of service provided and if the gratuity is already included in the service charge. It is not appropriate to ask an event planner or vendor for appropriate gratuity guidelines, but usually the appropriate amount would range between 12-20% of the bill of service. Please note that a personal, hand-written note of thanks is always a nice gift to any service provider aside from a gratuity.
Here are helpful guidelines to follow. Prepare envelopes in advance with name of each service provider. Most people prefer a cash tip, but checks are okay if needed for record keeping. Tipping before an event is usually appropriate because many workers are freelancers and tipping becomes difficult after the event has ended. It is okay to distribute at the end of the event but know that some providers may not receive the gratuity until weeks later because they are not among regular staff.
Do Tip: It is advisable to tip managers, captains, bartenders, wait staff, bands, ceremony musicians, DJs, bus, limousine and car drivers, bathroom and coat check attendants, venue staff, as well as hair and makeup professionals.
No need to tip: It is not necessary to tip photographers, videographers, bakers, florists, wedding coordinators, or officiates.
Sandra's Beauty, Fashion and Money Tips
